I am a proud maritimer who teaches at St. Francis Xavier University in a Human Kinetics Dept. on the east coast of Canada. My Ph.D. research focused on the sexual objectification of female athletes and I continue to explore sexuality and sport in the philosophical context.
While driving home yesterday, I was thrilled to hear the softball news story from Portland Oregon. Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University hit her first ever home run and started to take her "victory lap". However, she collapsed quickly due to a knee injury but managed to make it to first base. The rules of softball indicate that she would be called out if her teammates attempted to help her. Consequently, two players from the opposing team, Central Washington University, decided to help Sarah out and carried her around the bases in true fair play spirit. Tucholsky's team ended up winning the game and advanced in the playoffs knocking off Central Washington.
All in all, it is a great story that should be celebrated. However, I was a bit put off while listening to the news story in that the radio journalist asked the players if they ever could imagine such an occurrence taking place in men's sport... right--fair play is reserved for women only :)
2 comments:
Due to men having more competitive personalities, I suspect this would happen much less often with men than happening with women. I must say that it was one of the best (and most welcome) stories in all of sports especially in these days of greed, competitive fight and pressure that coaches and parents put on their kids. It was a true act of sportsmanship and compassion.
One sport in which this type of thing is more common is cycling. Even cyclists from opposing teams will assist one another, help others win stages, and so on, and these are some of the most competitive men and women in sport. I think that this type of sportsmanship and compassion is admirable, and shows us the potential of sport for displaying and developing a praiseworthy moral character.
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